Replace Double Tap with Tandem Breaker

[69XR7]

Recently had a home inspection and the inspector pointed out that i have a 20amp breaker with a double tap. He said it’s not accepted by any of the homeowners insurance companies and I should replace it with a tandem breaker.

Would it be appropriate to use a 2-20 tandem breaker to replace the one, or do i need lower values since I’m splitting the 20 into two?

From what I’ve seen online, My choices are on 2-20 and 2-15

Thanks

 

[jeepxj]

so long as both circuits can handle 20a then get a 2-20a tandem.

If they cant then get a 15a tandem and just replace another 15a circuit with the tandem leaving the original 20a breaker with just 1 -20a circuit in it

 

[69XR7]

Got it! Thank you.

 

[Norcal]

What brand of circuit breaker? Some like SQ D, QO, & HOM, are listed for 2-conductors & a lot of times home inspectors are as useful as a screen door on the hull of a submarine. another option if the breaker is not listed for 2-conductors, is to use a wire connector to connect both wires with a short piece of wire so only one conductor is in the circuit breaker lug.

 

[PCustoms]

What brand of circuit breaker? Some like SQ D, QO, & HOM, are listed for 2-conductors & a lot of times home inspectors are as useful as a screen door on the hull of a submarine. another option if the breaker is not listed for 2-conductors, is to use a wire connector to connect both wires with a short piece of wire so only one conductor is in the circuit breaker lug.

Was going to post the same.

Home inspector doesn't know didly about what insurance will cover. It's to code or not to code, and that is determined by how the breaker is listed.

 

[Neggy]

no blank spaces on the panel?

Not that there is anything wrong with a tandem breaker, but I'd do a full sized one if there was an open spot...

 

[Stuff]

A simple pigtail and wire nut should close out the issue for now. Figuring out the proper breaker for an old panel can take forever on these boards.

 

[sparky 1971]

That's the #1 thing home inspectors look for. If there hasn't been any trouble with the breaker tripping, just pigtail the two wires and leave the tandem breaker at the store. Yes, as stated above, there are some breakers listed for two wires, but usually the buyers think the home inspector is the smartest person to ever walk the earth and no amount of explanation is going to change that. Also, just because a tandem fits, doesn't mean the panel is listed for it, but ain't no home inspector gonna know that. The label on the panel should tell you if and where the tandems can be used. That being said, I haven't let the listing keep me from using an "illegal" tandem a time or 50.

 

[Showkey]

This has come up dozens of time……..here is one of the prior answers:

Square D and Cutler Hammer both manufacture breakers that are rated to accept two wires (double taps). When two wires are allowed a tiny graphic of two wires will be visible at the front or side of the breaker.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Brand and model of breaker is important here. HIs only know enough to be dangerous

 

[Jsf721]

Recently had a home inspection and the inspector pointed out that i have a 20amp breaker with a double tap. He said it’s not accepted by any of the homeowners insurance companies and I should replace it with a tandem breaker.

Would it be appropriate to use a 2-20 tandem breaker to replace the one, or do i need lower values since I’m splitting the 20 into two?

From what I’ve seen online, My choices are on 2-20 and 2-15

Thanks

I learned this recently after a home inspection in Florida. maybe a local ordinance.

 

[andyvh1959]

When you consider a "home inspector" is often an inspector by license and not by knowledge, or experience, take their input with a block of salt. Heck, even my ex-wife was a licensed home inspector at one time. And though she was able to do minor home repairs herself, she had no real knowledge of plumbing, electrical, framing, etc. Not saying a home inspector has to be an expert in these realms, but I'd expect any real home inspector to have decent basic understanding of it all and not just book/code background.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

A simple pigtail and wire nut should close out the issue for now. Figuring out the proper breaker for an old panel can take forever on these boards.

Yep, do this. 30 seconds of work versus hoping you can find a breaker right now...

 

[Innovate1]

As others have said this is something that gets flagged by home inspectors but some breakers are listed for double wires. The way I see it this is something that is easy for the inspector to flag and isn't usually questioned so looks good for them in the eyes of the customer hiring them.

I suppose there might be a local rule that prohibits double taps but doubt that is the case most places. Just a guess.

Easy enough to pigtail to a single wire if there is any question and that should satisfy everyone.

I always have a home inspector when buying a house. I am fairly knowlegable about construction, electrical, plumbing, etc but don't know all the detailed rules. And an extra set of eyes is always good. If the inspector flags something it carries more weight with negotiating to get things fixed. I follow them around to get their comments on things too. So I am not against inspectors - I just recognize they have limits.